Man Suffers Burns in Meth Lab Explosion; Grow House Found

Friday

Sep 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Polk County Sheriff's deputies responded to a methamphetamine lab explosion on Thursday at the Fish Haven Lodge campgrounds, located at 201 Fish Haven Road in Auburndale. The explosion left one man hospitalized for severe chemical burns, and also led deputies to uncover another illegal drug operation nearby.

By CLIFFORD PARODYTHE LEDGER

AUBURNDALE | Polk County Sheriff's deputies responded to a methamphetamine lab explosion on Thursday at the Fish Haven Lodge campgrounds, located at 201 Fish Haven Road in Auburndale.

The explosion left one man hospitalized for severe chemical burns, and also led deputies to uncover another illegal drug operation nearby.

By the time deputies arrived to lot 56 in the campground, resident Christopher Shrader, 39, already had been transported to Tampa General with chemical burns. He remained hospitalized Friday night.

Deputies said that a portion of a camper on the property had been blown off, which left several items normally used to cook methamphetamine in plain view. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies found meth-making paraphernalia, including a gas mask and lithium batteries, along with a Glock handgun in a safe.

Deputies also seized Shrader's 2011 Chevrolet truck, with an estimated value of $24,000.

While investigating the explosion, detectives detected the distinct odor of cannabis emanating from a camper on nearby lot 54. The owner of the camper, Richard Klein, who turns 60 on Sunday, was not home, and a separate search warrant was issued for the premises.

During the search of lot 54, detectives uncovered a marijuana grow operation containing more than 40 plants. All told, law enforcement seized 43 plants, a digital scale, about a pound of marijuana, and a small amount of cocaine. Detectives were unable to locate Klein.

Charges pending against Shrader include manufacturing meth, possession of a listed chemical and maintaining a dwelling for drug manufacturing.

A warrant has been issued for Klein's arrest on charges of cultivation of cannabis, possession of cannabis, possession with intent to sell, possession of cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

[ Clifford Parody can be reached at clifford.parody@theledger.com or 863-802-7516. ]